In a major setback to Green Shirts, Abbas Afridi has been excluded from the squad for the 3rd T20I against New Zealand due to discomfort from a low-grade abdominal wall muscle strain, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Tuesday.
The third T20I match is set to take place tomorrow (Wednesday) in Dunedin.
The PCB said the fast bowler’s scan showed no sign of significant injury, and “he will be managed symptomatically”.
The cricket governing body said Abbas’ availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage.
His exclusion would be a big loss to the team as Afridi was the leading wicket-taker for the team along with Haris Rauf even though they have been in lost causes.
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 21 runs in the second Twenty20 international to take a 2-0 series lead.
The tourists threw away a strong position in their run chase after Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman scored half-centuries as they were dismissed for 173 in the final over, in response to New Zealand's 194-8.
Victory came at a cost for the Black Caps, whose captain Kane Williamson retired hurt with a hamstring injury while batting, placing him in doubt for the remainder of the five-match series.
The match bore similarities to New Zealand's 46-run win in the opening match in Auckland on Friday, with another aggressive batting approach led from the top by Finn Allen.
His 70 off 41 balls continued a run of form which the hard-hitting opener attributed to a change of approach.
The target looked within sight for Pakistan before Fakhar was bowled by Milne for a power-packed 50 off 25 balls in the 10th over, leaving Pakistan 97-3.
They struggled from that point, with only Babar looking a threat until he was caught off Ben Sears for 66.
Milne finished with 4-33, having earlier removed the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan lost both openers with just 10 runs on the board.
Spinner earns first nomination thanks to 20 wickets during England Tests
Kangaroos successfully chase down Green Shirts' 204-run target in 34th over
Pakistani runners mark several triumphs at one of the world's largest and most challenging courses in NYC
"Pakistan have a chance to beat India in Tests now on a spinning track," says former skipper
Ali finishes 42-kilometre marathon in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds
The Lions decision to bowl first bears fruit as Lankan bowlers bundle out Pakistan on modest total